Engineer Chosen By Gop

Cornell To Run Against Sullivan In Rematch Of '88

July 21, 1994|By GERALD JACOBS; Courant Staff Writer

WEST HARTFORD — In a rematch of a 1988 race, Republicans have nominated retired West Hartford engineer Robert W. Cornell to run in the 5th Senate District against state Sen. Kevin B. Sullivan, D-West Hartford.

Cornell lost to Sullivan six years ago and was defeated by state Rep. Miles S. Rapoport in a 1990 race for the 18th House District.

A retired mechanical engineer, Cornell has been active in the West Hartford Taxpayers Association.

On Wednesday, Cornell noted that when he lost to Rapoport four years ago, he decided he would not run again for elective office. But that changed as Republicans searched for a candidate to run against Sullivan, who is seeking a fifth term.

``Nobody came forward and everybody said, `Why don't you run?,' '' he said. ``I wasn't really planning to run. I am running simply to serve. Not for political power, prestige, career or money.''

The 5th Senate District covers West Hartford, Bloomfield, Burlington and Farmington.

If elected, Cornell said he would like to work on reform of the state's income tax. He said that earners in the $40,000 to $80,000 income range are being taxed at rates that are two to three times higher than more wealthy people, and that must be repaired.

Cornell also said he favors greater control over state spending and the privatization of some state services. The state must also do more to help small businessmen, he said, noting that the state has provided money to many large companies to keep their businesses here.

``We don't really help the small guy,'' he said. ``All we're doing is handing out millions to the big boys. We should be more friendly to small business in the state.''

Cornell is also a proponent of the death penalty and said that greater effort must be made on keeping violent offenders imprisoned.

``We load up our jails with drug addicts,'' Cornell said. ``And they should be in rehabilitation centers.''

Cornell criticized Sullivan for being too willing to go along with the Democratic Party's agenda in the legislature.

``I think the main criticism is he's strictly a party man,'' Cornell said. ``And he's always ready to vote for all the spending bills. And that's our problem. We've been spending like crazy.''

Discussions with potential candidates had taken place for several months, but many were reluctant to run because of the amount of money they would have to raise to oppose Sullivan, said Peter Zarella, chairman of the West Hartford Republican Town Committee.

``We talked to a lot of people over the last three, four or five months and frankly, one of the concerns is that the incumbent spent over $100,000 against Bruce Boisture,'' Zarella said. ``That kind of money has kind of a chilling effect on running aginst him.''

Sullivan defeated Boisture, a Farmington businessman and lawyer, two years ago. Cornell will probably have to raise between $40,000 and $50,000 to run a viable campaign, Zarella said, although the candidate said he would be raising between $25,000 and $30,000.

``I think Bob comes to us with some name recognition,'' Zarella said. ``I think if he raises a reasonable amount of money, he may have a chance. Bob is very bright. He's always been very on top of all the issues.''